Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 28 Nov 2002

Vol. 558 No. 3

Written Answers. - Urban Renewal Schemes.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

61 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the reason for the reduction of 59% in his Department's allocation for 2003 for urban regeneration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23864/02]

Minister for the Environment and Local Government (Mr. Cullen)

A total of €23,260 million has been made available in the 2003 Estimates to fund my Department's urban and village renewal programmes. This funding will be used by local authorities and, in the case of projects in Dublin docklands, by the Dublin Docklands Development Authority to carry out projects under the urban and village renewal measure of the EU co-financed regional operational programmes under the NDP 2002-2006 and other Exchequer funded schemes.

In 2002 a total of €56,441 million was provided. However the actual outturn is estimated to be in the region of €30 million, continuing the pattern of substantial underspend on the programmes that has been evident over the past two years. As well as the wider budgetary considerations, this trend of underspend was taken into account when the 2003 Estimates were being determined.